METHYL BROMIDE AND THE OZONE-LAYER : A RESPONSIBLE ANSWER FROM THE INDUSTRY

Methyl bromide has been included in the Montreal Protocol at November 1992 revision, but what is really known of methyl bromide presence and chemistry in the stratosphere?

As there remain many uncertainties on the role of methyl bromide in the stratosphere, the 10 main world producers joined in an association, the Methyl Bromide Global Coalition (MBGC), which looks for answers at 3 levels :

• which is the effect of methyl bromide to the stratospheric ozone?

• are there alternatives to methyl bromide?

• is it possible to avoid atmospheric emissions of methyl bromide after its use?

The research program decided by MBGC will take 2 years, cost 1.5 M$ and mainly concentrate on natural sinks and sources of methyl bromide (ocean production is about 3 times more important than man-made world production).

There is not one single alternative to methyl bromide in its wide spectrum of applications and existing alternatives are not so efficient as methyl bromide or very costly (steam). The development of a new agrochemical costs about 100 M$ R&D and lasts 8 years.

Therefore, in a short term, MBGC, the US Department of Agriculture and users’ associations focus on a reduction of methyl bromide emissions after soil-fumigation for which several research programs have been decided throughout the world : Europe – Israel – Japan – USA.

IV International Symposium on Soil and Substrate Infestation and Disinfestation

R. Sauvegrain

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1995.382.4